Join our team & make a difference in the heart of Cleveland.
At TE, we believe each employee contributes directly to our mission of empowering individuals to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through employment. We strive to create an inclusive culture where each person can show up as their authentic self, and provide opportunities to grow personally and professionally. For example, currently 10 managers started as frontline staff. We want your experience at TE to be fun, exciting, and mission driven.
Our Vision
A dynamic world of work where all people - regardless of race, justice system involvement, or where they live - have an opportunity to thrive.
Our Values
Hope. We lift people up, treating all with respect, and providing genuine support.
Justice. We work to combat systems of inequity and won’t rest until the dignity and worth of each member of our society is recognized.
Collaboration. We advocate for better outcomes by engaging deeply with employers, service providers, thought leaders, funders, and others who are equally committed to creating quality jobs and inclusive workplaces.
Ingenuity. We move quickly and continuously to improve our approach in response to the needs of individuals, families, and the community.
Community. We are all in this together! We are a caring, supportive team of passionate individuals building a culture that values diversity, continuous growth and learning, and fun!
Impact. We do what we say. We are committed to excellence and life-changing impact.
Employee Benefits
Towards Employment offers competitive benefits including employer subsidized medical, prescription drug, vision and dental insurance; matching traditional and Roth 401k; life and disability insurance. Voluntary benefits include: HSA and FSA savings accounts, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance and dependent life insurance. Also employees receive paid vacation, 10 sick days plus 13 paid holidays annually.
people on staff
have lived experience or are TE Graduates
frontline staff are now managers
have worked at TE for over 5 years
Hear from our staff
Jonathan Rodriguez
Bilingual Case Manager
"Working at TE has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I get to wake up everyday, come to work, and help people. What's better than that?"
Stella Shephard
Workshop Facilitator
"One thing that's consistent about TE is that we get the best of the best! I don't know where they come from, I just know that when they are here, they are awesome!"
Open Positions
Chief Financial Officer
Position: Chief Financial Officer
About Towards Employment:
At Towards Employment’s our mission is to champion the potential of every person to succeed in a rewarding career today through skill development, comprehensive support, innovative practices, and strong employer partnerships, while working to create a more equitable and inclusive workforce for tomorrow. We partner with employers, workforce providers, and government leaders to promote equitable access to living wages, quality jobs, and the elimination of racial income gaps.
Interested in seeing a full job description click here.
Overview:
Towards Employment is seeking a highly qualified, mission-oriented CFO to be a key player in helping to scale and grow the organization by overseeing our core financial operations and processes and enhancing our capacity to assess and execute on new opportunities to create impact in the community. The CFO will help advise on strategy while also ensuring day-to-day operations meet all compliance and accounting standards and delivering excellent customer service to internal & external stakeholders. This individual will lead a cross-functional team including Finance, IT and Facilities and will work closely with the CEO and other Chiefs, Department Directors, and with the Board Treasurer and Board Finance Committee.
Education and Experience Required
We seek an innovative, results-driven, quality and efficiency focused individual who shares our passion for service to fill this role. We require:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration and a minimum of five years of relevant financial and operational management experience, including experience in a complex nonprofit with multiple programs. CPA preferred.
- Track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government grants and contracts (both local and federal), and corporate and foundation grants is essential.
- Proactive, hands-on strategic thinker with strong analytical skills.
- Technically astute, with understanding of inter-related nature of systems and their relevance to efficient, effective business operations.
- Experience coordinating audit activities and overseeing reporting, budget development and analysis, and other fiscal functions (accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll and accounting for investments).
- Successful supervisory experience in a team environment with a collaborative focus.
- Advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software (Sage Intacct knowledge preferred). Strong aptitude in Excel and Word required.
Competencies Required
Success in this role will also require:
- Financial Acumen – Financially oriented while able to see the “big picture”. Understands financial capacity and constraints; has high standards for financial management and reporting; develops strategic and operational recommendations through a financial lens.
- Problem Solving – Demonstrates ability to anticipate organizational needs and challenges, gather needed information, synthesize and analyze sometimes disparate data, assess risk, make recommendations, and take decisive action.
- Emotional Intelligence – The ability to understand what motivates the team, and to lead with consideration of the whole employee; able to build rapport and maximize individual strengths while driving outcomes. Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, racial, and educational backgrounds.
- Managerial Courage – Actively engages in the thought leadership of the organization; seeks information, expresses informed opinions and respectfully challenges status quo; provides feedback to others; takes action to the betterment of the organization.
- Relationship Builder - Builds and maintains effective relationships with all stakeholders, including staff and external individuals and organizations that can impact Towards Employment’s success and future. Outstanding ability to effectively communicate plans and desired outcomes.
- Flexibility – Able to be flexible in the face of changing circumstances or plans. Ability to support and guide others through change.
- Social Justice Advocate – Passionate about promoting racial equity and inclusion at personal, organizational and systems level.
- Embraces the Towards Employment mission
Send cover letter and resume to HR@towardsemployment.org
EEO Statement: Towards Employment provides equal employment opportunity to employees and job applicants regardless of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.
Young Adult - Case Manager
Program: Young Adult Services – Out of School Youth (OSY)
Position: OSY Case Manager
Reports To: Manager, YA Case Management Services
Positions Supervised: None
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Provides case management and support to the participants of Out of School Youth (OSY) career pathway program. This includes assessment, individual plan preparation and updates, assistance in removing barriers to employment, career exploration and navigation to appropriate services. Work closely with other program staff to ensure that pre-employment barriers are removed and to facilitate the job matching, education, training, retention, and advancement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- To provide individualized case management
- In collaboration with team members, provide an extensive assessment of each participant, including career goals and employment readiness.
- To develop with the participant a service strategy which includes a goal plan/individual opportunity plan.
- To maintain accurate participant files and records according to program guidelines
- Provide assistance and referral to resources for barrier removal.
- Provide and process supportive service requests and associated documentation.
- Monitor participant progress during career readiness program according to the established procedures.
Individual Case Management
- Conduct case management discussion and assessment with assigned participants to assess career readiness, strengths and skills, interest, and barriers to be addressed. Determine if candidate for First Step or direct engagement into career readiness workshop. Individual success plan developed to include goals and next steps.
- Develop positive relationships with program participants.
- Provide information and referral, accessing community resources to help participants address their barriers.
- Provide case management preventing and eliminating barriers related to work/life balance, time management, substance use/relapse, criminal activity, and transportation/clothing/housing issues.
- Ensure proper assessment documentation for performance measurement and contract compliance are in each file.
- Provide at a minimum, weekly contact throughout the workshop phase of career readiness; work with Career Coach to ensure continued contact until employment is stabilized for six months.
- Work closely with other team members, communicating regularly with assigned career coach, attending training and team meetings, etc.
Career Readiness Support
- Work closely with trainer and Employment Specialist to communicate existing barriers and barrier resolution plans for each workshop participant as needed.
- Work with the Career Coach to ensure PCM is finalized before workshop completion.
Retention and Follow-up
- Provide case management for participants at specified intervals to assist in the continued prevention and elimination of barriers to successful employment/advancement.
- Continue to provide information and referral access to community resources to help participants address identified barriers which may hinder successful employment.
Record Maintenance & Quality Assurance
- Maintain accurate participant files and records according to program guidelines.
- Using internal database and other record keeping tools, input all case notes and service requests within 48 hours of service delivery.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or relevant degree or equivalent through combination of experience and education
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in similar field/position.
- Knowledge and experience working with adults with barriers to employment; experience with adults who have been involved with the criminal justice system preferred.
- Excellent relationship building and customer service skills to keep participants engaged in program services.
- Demonstrated understanding of community resources and how to access them.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational, time management and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with data entry and strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently, be flexible and dependable, and demonstrate initiative and creativity.
- Willingness to travel between facilities and Towards Employment to coordinate services for participants and attend relevant meetings.
- Strong presentation skills with both small and large groups.
- Must have proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office Products: Word, Power Point, Outlook, and Internet.
- Commitment to Towards Employment mission and core values.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Work is performed in an office setting. Some travel required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75%.
Competencies
Success in this position also requires:
- Continuous Improvement – Committed to learning, development, assessment, and measurement to continuously improve.
- Coaching Capacity – Ability to provide guidance and to support the advancement of others.
- Team Builder – Leads others through collaboration, influence, and managerial strength.
- Social Justice Advocate – Passionate about promoting racial equity and inclusion at personal, organizational and systems level.
- Growth Mindset – Embraces a culture of continuous learning and a can-do attitude, readily adapts to change, is intellectually curious and a critical thinker.
Program Assistant, Industry Partnerships
Position: Program Assistant
Reports to: Industry Partnerships
Positions Supervised: None
Background:
Towards Employment is a national leader in workforce development. We connect people to careers which change people’s lives, advances businesses, and strengthens community in Northeast Ohio. Founded in 1976, Towards Employment has gained local and national recognition for achieving excellent outcomes through the hard work of its dedicated staff. At Towards Employment we value critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, open communication, and collaboration. We embrace diverse perspectives, have a collective passion for the work we do and a curiosity to find new and better solutions. As a staff, we work towards achieving our organizational vision - an equitable workforce system where racial income gaps have been eliminated and everyone, especially those most affected by systemic racism, has access to family-sustaining wages and quality jobs.
Position Overview:
Towards Employment offers a continuum of support to low-income individuals preparing to enter the workforce or looking to advance from low-wage employment while also fulfilling the staffing needs of local employers. The Industry Partnerships Program Assistant works with our Industry Partnerships programming to provide overall administrative and classroom support.
General Duties: Support the overall Industry Partnerships program through classroom support including technical assistance and helping with employer activities. Additionally, have timely and accurate data collection, data entry, and frequent reporting to ensure program and participant success. Duties focus around the administrative and clerical tasks necessary for quality program operations including hard and electronic case file maintenance, workshop starts, workshop completions and general program needs. Works with supervisor on assignments as required.
Responsibilities
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participants and program activity in compliance with TE policy and funder performance requirements.
- Responsible for data entry in required data systems including Towards Employment’s Commence system. May be required to enter data in other systems as required by funders for participant tracking against contracts.
- Responsible for classroom setup and technology support including online technical training.
- Support employer onsite trainings including employer showcase and interview days.
- Work in Commence to develop first day start list; ensure the paperwork needed for the first day start of participants is printed and provided to IP staff for check in and also to workshop instructor(s).
- Work with the Industry Partnerships leadership to ensure data reporting needs are met.
- Prepare workshop certificates for signature at least 2 days before the workshop completion.
- Set up hard case files for documentation.
- Maintain paperwork and documents that relate to intake and case management for participant files and check appropriate items off the checklist. When status of participants is changed to “Off of Service” review file for completeness to assure positive results on any file audits from funder.
- Support the program orientation process by preparing orientation intake packets, ensuring sufficient amount for each weekly orientation as needed.
- Case notes regarding all contact will be input within 24 hours of the contract.
- Commence services will be input by the 3rd business day of every month.
- Maintain program file system in an efficient organized manner ensuring all files are accounted for at all times, contain all required documentation and are accessible as needed.
- Perform all other duties as required or requested from supervisor or Director of Industry Partnerships.
Qualifications:
- Must be results-oriented, self-starting, assertive, outgoing, and willing to learn
- Minimum of a high school diploma with two years applied experience preferred.
- Previous experience in a Social Service setting contributes to knowledge of the field.
- Must have proficiency with computers, including Microsoft Office, Internet and email. Strong understanding and knowledge of database reporting systems.
- Strong attention to detail is required
- Ability to function with minimum supervision and with all levels of staff is needed.
- Good interpersonal, telephone skills, and, must possess good written and verbal communication skill
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem solving skills
- Commitment to our mission and values
- Ability to work independently, be flexible and dependable, and demonstrate initiative and creativity.
Computer Skills
- Proficient with computers, including Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook, and Internet. Experience and knowledgeable with electronic case management tracking systems (databases).
Language Skills
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Work environment
Work is performed in an office setting at multiple locations.
Competencies
Success in this position also requires:
- Continuous Improvement – Committed to learning, development, assessment, and measurement to continuously improve.
- Coaching Capacity – Ability to provide guidance and to support the advancement of
- Team Builder – Leads others through collaboration, influence and managerial
- Social Justice Advocate – Passionate about promoting racial equity and inclusion at personal, organizational and systems level.
- Growth Mindset – Embraces a culture of continuous learning and a can-do attitude, readily adapts to change, is intellectually curious and a critical thinker.
Program Associate, Financial Opportunity Center
POSITION: Program Associate – Financial Opportunity Center
Reports to: Program Manager Training Services
Positions Supervised: None
BACKGROUND:
Towards Employment is a national leader in workforce development. We connect people to careers which change people’s lives, advances businesses, and strengthens community in Northeast Ohio. Founded in 1976, Towards Employment has gained local and national recognition for achieving excellent outcomes through the hard work of its dedicated staff. At Towards Employment we value critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, open communication, and collaboration. We embrace diverse perspectives, have a collective passion for the work we do and a curiosity to find new and better solutions. As a staff, we work towards achieving our organizational vision - an equitable workforce system where racial income gaps have been eliminated and everyone, especially those most affected by systemic racism, has access to family-sustaining wages and quality jobs.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Towards Employment offers a continuum of support to low-income individuals preparing to enter the workforce or looking to advance from low-wage employment while also fulfilling the staffing needs of local employers. The Financial Opportunity Center Program Associate works with our Financial Opportunity Center coaching staff to provide overall administrative support.
General Duties: Support the overall Financial Opportunity Center through timely and accurate data collection, data entry, and frequent reporting to ensure program and participant success. Duties focus around the administrative and clerical tasks necessary for quality program operations including hard and electronic case file maintenance and general program needs. Works with supervisor on assignments as required.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of participants and program activity in compliance with TE policy and funder performance requirements.
- Responsible for data entry in required data systems including Towards Employment’s Commence system. May be required to enter data in other systems as required by funders for participant tracking against contracts, specifically Salesforce.
- Enter applications for new and returning participants in Commence and Salesforce.
- Coordinate and send out correspondence on behalf of participants, including letters to creditors and credit bureaus, according to TE template.
- Support the Financial Career Coach in managing calendar by scheduling appointments with participants. Work with the Program Manager Training Services to ensure data reporting needs are met.
- Set up hard case files for documentation.
- Ensure FOC data is updated and correct by the 3rd business day of each month, so that required reports can be produced in a timely manner. Work with supervisor and in consultation with the Sr. Manager Data Analytics to update participant program status and other data related needs as they relate to programming.
- Work with Sr. Manager Data Analytics to review data for accuracy and provide information for monthly contractor progress reports as needed.
- Maintain paperwork and documents that relate to intake and review file for completeness to assure positive results on any file audits from funder.
- Do initial intake screening on individuals expressing interest in the program.
- Participate in rotation of back up support to Front Desk/Reception.
- Case notes regarding all contact will be input within 24 hours of the contact.
- Commence services and records in Salesforce will be input by the 3rd business day of every month.
- Maintain program file system in an efficient organized manner ensuring all files are accounted for at all times, contain all required documentation and are accessible as needed.
- Perform all other duties as required or requested from supervisor or Director of Programs. May also perform duties as requested by the Executive Director.
Qualifications:
- Must be results-oriented, self-starting, assertive, outgoing, and willing to learn.
- Minimum of a high school diploma with two years additional training in Business Secretarial Science and two years applied experience preferred.
- Previous experience in a Social Service setting contributes to knowledge of the field.
- Must have proficiency with computers, including Microsoft Office, Internet and email. Strong understanding and knowledge of database reporting systems.
- Strong attention to detail is required.
- Ability to function with minimum supervision and with all levels of staff is needed.
- Good interpersonal, telephone skills, and must possess good written and verbal communication skill.
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to our mission and values
- Ability to work independently, be flexible and dependable, and demonstrate initiative and creativity.
Computer Skills
- Proficient with computers, including Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook, and Internet. Experience and knowledgeable with electronic case management tracking systems (databases).
Language Skills
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Work Environment
Work is performed in an office setting.
Competencies
Success in this position also requires:
- Continuous Improvement – Committed to learning, development, assessment, and measurement to continuously improve.
- Coaching Capacity – Ability to provide guidance and to support the advancement of others.
- Team Builder – Leads others through collaboration, influence and managerial strength.
- Social Justice Advocate – Passionate about promoting racial equity and inclusion at personal, organizational and systems level.
- Growth Mindset – Embraces a culture of continuous learning and a can-do attitude, readily adapts to change, is intellectually curious and a critical thinker.
Don't see your fit?
We are always looking for passionate talent! Send us a general application using the form below.
Internship Opportunities
2024 summer internship positions are currently filled. We are currently accepting applications for 2024 winter internships.
Towards Employment has 2024 winter internship opportunities available for students in all program areas, including development and marketing, policy, administrative, outreach, etc. If you are interested in discussing a possible internship experience please contact us at info@towardsemployment.org with a copy of your resume.